Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are debilitating diseases with no known cause and both with limited treatments for the symptoms and nothing for the underlying cause.

Kent Holtorf, MD, medical director, Holtorf Medical Group Center for Endocrine, Neurological and Infection related illness, Torrance, Calif., reports that after a comprehensive literature study that the majority of CFS and FMS patients display abnormal adrenal function–due to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. He believes that the majority of patients could be treated for this adrenal dysfunction.

Holtorf’s believes his study suggests that a treatment protocol of early administration of cortisol may help improve and reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. He confirmed his research in an observational study following the conditions of 500 patients from his clinic, where the patients who were given cortisol as part of their treatment:

• 94% showed improvement by the 4th visit;
• 75% noted significant improvement;
• 62% reported substantial improvement; and
• Energy levels and a general sense of well-being for patients doubled by the 4th visit.

The effectiveness of this multi-system treatment was further confirmed through the analysis of the cumulative findings of over 40 independent physicians and over 5,000 patients. Cortisol treatment carries significantly less risk and a greater potential for benefit than treatments considered to be the standard of care for both conditions, according to Holtorf. As shown in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome study, cortisol doses of 5-to-15mg a day have been shown to be safe, with little or no associated risk, while having the potential for significant benefit for CFS and FM patients–according to Holtorf’s article in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.